2019/03/27 Council Agenda Packet

Memo:Annual Docket Amendments 3/06/19 3) Simplifying the Land Use Element Over the years,the Land Use Element and the development codes have grown increasingly complex and duplicative.There are 28 different designations on the Land Use Map and nearly 200 goals, objectives and policies in the Land Use Element alone.The Zoning Code has been amended over 200 times since the current version was first adopted in 1989. Everett has seen many changes since 1990 when the Growth Management Act(GMA)was enacted and the first GMA plan adopted in 1994.Some of the key changes that influence land use plans, include: • The city is provided with rapid bus service along key corridors • •Voters approved light rail to Everett by 2036 • Housing has become less affordable to many • The retail sector is undergoing big changes due to online shopping The amendments to simplify the Land Use Element include the following main parts: a) Simplify the Land Use Map Designations.The amendments propose reducing the 28 different land use designations down to 6. b) Introducing Brevity into Land Use Policies. The amendments propose reducing repetitive goals, objectives and policies, reducing the number down significantly from the 199 in the current element. c) Reducing and Updating Background Text.The amendments take out background that is not necessary once a plan is adopted,and updates other text to ensure its currency to 2019. a) Simplify the Land Use Map Designations The Metro Everett planning process led to the reduction in the number of zones in the area from twelve down to three new zones. The new land use code for Metro Everett was also formatted with the intent to apply the new format to the rest of the city, by also reducing the number of land use zones to eliminate redundant zone districts and both simplify and improve development standards. Before taking on the land use code, it is important to step back and look at the underlying complexity of the Comprehensive Plan. Under GMA,the development regulations have to be consistent with,and simplify the development implement the comprehensive plan. We will not be able to update and p fy p regulations unless we first update and simplify the comprehensive plan. The city's Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map has twenty-eight(28)different designations.The amendments propose reduce the designations down to six(6): • Residential,Single Family • Residential, Multifamily • Metropolitan Center("Metro Everett") • Commercial Mixed-Use • Industrial • Local Resource Lands (Agriculture,Aquatic,Open Space, Parks,Water Resource Management) These designations are based on the following reclassification of existing zoning to land use: New Land Use Current Zoning Equivalent Residential,Single Family R-S, R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-2A Residential, Multifamily R-3, R-3L, R-4, R-5 Metropolitan Center ULI, UM, UR �5